A69533:903

Five disputations of church-government and worship

Name: Five disputations of church-government and worship
Author: Richard Baxter

Five disputations of church-government and worship by Richard Baxter.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1659

[10], 38, [10], 24, 492 p. · 215k words · Wing B1267 · ESTC R13446

Title page: Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy, digitized by the Internet Archive (opens the Internet Archive in a new tab)

Assert. Those who nullify our present Ministry and Churches, which… › Chapter 9: The sinfulness of despising or neglecting Ordination.Assert. Those who nullifie our present Ministry and Churches, which… › Chapter 9: The sinfulness of despising or neglecting Ordination.

Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.

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Sect. 27. Reas. 11. Consider also, how great a Trust it is that is committed to all that are Ministers of the Gospel. The souls of men are committed to them: the Mysteries of God, the precious promises and glad tidings of Salvation are committed to them: the order and affairs of the house of God are committed to them: those that are Christs Sheep, his Jewels, his Friends, his Brethren, his Spouse, his Members, and as the apple of his eye, are committed to them. And is it suitable to so great a Trust, that men untried, unapproved, that do but think well of themselves, and their own doings, shall at their pleasure take so great a charge? What man of honour and wit among you, will give every man leave to be your Steward, that hath but folly and pride enough to think himself fit for it? and will not rather choose your Stewards your selves?

Sect. 27. Reas. 11. Consider also, how great a Trust it is that is committed to all that are Ministers of the Gospel. The souls of men are committed to them: the Mysteries of God, the precious promises and glad tidings of Salvation are committed to them: the order and affairs of the house of God are committed to them: those that are Christs Sheep, his Jewels, his Friends, his Brethren, his Spouse, his Members, and as the apple of his eye, are committed to them. And is it sutable to so great a Trust, that men untryed, unapproved, that do but think well of themselves, and their own doings, shall at their pleasure take so great a charge? What man of honour and wit among you, will give every man leave to be your Steward, that hath but folly and pride enough to think himself fit for it? and will not rather choose your Stewards your selves?

:901p. 262

Sect. 28. Reas. 12. And is it not evidently notorious Cruelty to the souls of men, to cast them upon every unworthy fellow that will but be impudent enough to undertake the charge? Do you set so light by mens everlasting Joy or Torment? You would not so contemptuously cast away mens lives: and will you so contemptuously cast away their souls? And what a contempt is it of the blood of Christ, that the purchase made by it should be thus neglected? You will look up your money, and look to your goods, and take care of every groat of your estates: and shall the souls of men, and the blood and the inheritance of Christ be no more regarded? This is unjust.

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Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36